Edward Van Sloan (1882-1964)

Edward Van Sloan (1882-1964)

Scott Essman and Eric Hoffman Collections

Edward Van Sloan and Bela Lugosi in "Dracula." Before the horror: The character actor worked on Broadway before reprising his stage role as vampire hunter Dr. Van Helsing in 1931's "Dracula." Iconic Universal roles: He made such an impression as Bela Lugosi's nemesis in "Dracula" that Van Sloan found himself playing variations of the same character in the Universal horror movies. He even reprised his role in 1936's "Dracula's Daughter," though the character's name was altered slightly to Von Helsing. In 1931's "Frankenstein," he not only played the concerned Dr. Waldman, he also appears out of character in the film's prologue warning audiences that the film was not for the faint of heart. He also played the occultist of Egyptology, Dr. Muller, in 1932's "The Mummy." Memorable quote: "And I will have Carfax Abbey torn down stone by stone, excavated a mile around. I will find your earth-box and drive that stake through your heart." ("Dracula")

Edward Van Sloan and Bela Lugosi in "Dracula." Before the horror: The character actor worked on Broadway before reprising his stage role as vampire hunter Dr. Van Helsing in 1931's "Dracula." Iconic Universal roles: He made such an impression as Bela Lugosi's nemesis in "Dracula" that Van Sloan found himself playing variations of the same character in the Universal horror movies. He even reprised his role in 1936's "Dracula's Daughter," though the character's name was altered slightly to Von Helsing. In 1931's "Frankenstein," he not only played the concerned Dr. Waldman, he also appears out of character in the film's prologue warning audiences that the film was not for the faint of heart. He also played the occultist of Egyptology, Dr. Muller, in 1932's "The Mummy." Memorable quote: "And I will have Carfax Abbey torn down stone by stone, excavated a mile around. I will find your earth-box and drive that stake through your heart." ("Dracula") (Scott Essman and Eric Hoffman Collections)

Edward Van Sloan and Bela Lugosi in "Dracula." Before the horror: The character actor worked on Broadway before reprising his stage role as vampire hunter Dr. Van Helsing in 1931's "Dracula." Iconic Universal roles: He made such an impression as Bela Lugosi's nemesis in "Dracula" that Van Sloan found himself playing variations of the same character in the Universal horror movies. He even reprised his role in 1936's "Dracula's Daughter," though the character's name was altered slightly to Von Helsing. In 1931's "Frankenstein," he not only played the concerned Dr. Waldman, he also appears out of character in the film's prologue warning audiences that the film was not for the faint of heart. He also played the occultist of Egyptology, Dr. Muller, in 1932's "The Mummy." Memorable quote: "And I will have Carfax Abbey torn down stone by stone, excavated a mile around. I will find your earth-box and drive that stake through your heart." ("Dracula")